Canada delivered a stunning upset in women’s rugby by defeating England 24-21, ending the Red Roses’ impressive 41-game unbeaten streak. The thrilling match took place at BMO Field in Toronto, where a record crowd of 18,621 witnessed Canada’s determined performance. This victory served as redemption for the Canadian team following their loss to England in the 2022 Women’s Rugby World Cup final.
Despite a strong start by England, the team struggled to capitalize on several attacking opportunities. Canada took advantage of a yellow card issued to England’s Zoe Harrison, with Savannah Bauder scoring the opening try. England responded with tries from Maddie Feaunati and Harrison, securing a 14-5 lead at halftime.
Canada came back strongly in the second half, with Alysha Corrigan narrowing the gap through a solo try. Although Sarah Bern scored for England, Canada maintained pressure with effective forward movement and attacking play. DaLeaka Menin’s try intensified the contest, and Shoshanah Seumanutafa scored the decisive try in the closing minutes, securing a 24-21 victory for Canada.
England’s defeat marks a significant turning point after four years of dominance in international women’s rugby. Head coach John Mitchell acknowledged the importance of learning from this loss and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back. The two teams are set to face each other again next weekend, offering England an immediate chance to recover while Canada aims to build on their historic performance.